Nonskid projectile



April 1953 R; H. GAEDE NONSKID PROJECTILE 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed June 22, 1949 /IIIIIIIIIIICIIIII/ .44 ii I INVENTOR 34 W d/zfl I ATTORNEY5 April 14, 1953 R. H. GAEDE 2,634,982

NONSKID PROJECTILE Filed June 22, 1949 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 INVENTOR M 24 W 7 ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 14, 1953 OFFICE 2,634,982 NONSKID PROJECTILE Robert H.

Gaede, Washington Township, Bergen County, "N J.

Application June 22, 1949, Serial No. 100,664;

9 Claims. (01. 273-106) This nvention relates to am and m r particularly to projectiles employed in games of skill adap ed to be played he FlQQ 9. theopen air. This application is a continuation-in-part of my Vcopending application Serial No. 621,045, filed October 8, 1945 and now abandoned. The general ob e t o the in n o i to provide a novel and improved disk-like projectile of this class wh ch is sa e to se, a 9 w t a reat d ree of accuracy, an n hich wil reta n i s en r l n u ion d r ng u bu WhiQh Will land on the target area without substantial bouncing or skidding.

M re pa t cula ly t is an Obj t of the nvention to p o d a p o ect le, sk of either rcular or somewhat irregular outline which isfor the greater portion of its area fairly stiff although pre ly es nt, bu w a mar na 0 i portion which is not so still but rather flexible, soft, or limp. This effect may-be attained either by reducing the thickness of the marginal area, by making it of a dilferent and more iiexilbe material, or by making it of the same material buttreating the two portions differently to attain the relative degree of flexibility.

The efiect of this flexible margin is to cause the edge of the dislrtoibuclrle when it strikesthe playing fac a a n Pe m t in t pr jectile to land limp, instead of bouncing, skidding, or rolling.

The practical embodiments of the invention may take many forms, only a few of them being shown herein. The materials of which the'projectiles are made may difienbut the rim portions should be of the approximate consistency and flexibility of rather soft vulcanizedsheet rubber. Otherobjects and features of novelty will be apparent from the following specification vhen read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which several embodimentsof the invention are illustrated by way of example.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a player tossingone ofxthe projectiles so as to fall upon a typical target;

Fi e-2 a P sn:V W-.. et b im ni of thenovel projectile;

Figure3 isa transverse sectional View taken on line 3 -3 of'Figure2;" d

Figure 4 is-a somewhat diagrammatic viewrin eva on o the-p i q p fi urt a Br aitf falls uponvthestarget area at a rather acute angle{to saidfsurfacei Fi ure 551's a similar view showing the projectile 'contacti g the playing .surfaceat .afgreater Figure 6 is a side view of a modification of the projectile;

Figures 7 and 8 are plan and sectional views respectively of another "form of the invention employing a plurality of laminations'of sheet material in its construction;

Figures ,9 and 10 aresimilar views of still another modification in which fewer layers of sheet material aroused, and in which a novel pointer or indicator is cut in the rim of thep'rojectile;

Figure 11 is a plan viewfqf a projectile showing another form of indicator; and i Figures 12 "and 13' are plan and elevational views ofa projectile which is suggestive of numerous variations in form and appearance of which the pro e es ar suscepti e, n y from the standpoint of ornamentation but also as a means of identifying the projectiles of the severalcontestants.

The number'and variety of tossing games are legion, but it would appear that they are all derived. fromthe ancient game of discus throwing and vof cour'sethe more recent games of quoits or the typical American game of horseshoes. The novel projectiles presented by the instant invention are therefore susceptibleof being used in a very wide variety of different games, some of which are quite similar to familiar tossinggames' and others being unique and ingenious adaptations of other games such as shufileboard, darts, baseballgdice casting, lawn bowls, and manyothers.

While the projectile itself may be modified or selected in cordance with the ame to be p ay d, h diff ren es w l ie ch fly hi he ature of the targetarea or surface upon whichfthe projectiles are tossed.

inmost applications cru ses ofthe novel projectiles, they are intended tobe thrown or tossed ma g ner l hor on a position; an e er wi h a s o w a pure iran l trymqtiqn similar to the way in wh ch h rs s oe orquoi are thrown. Howeve unl th latte r jectiles, the applicantfsnovel miss les or p ayin pieces are so designed that they are not likeiy to bounce, skid, orirollwhenthey land-upon the playing surface.

Further, according to the method of, play which may be chosen, the novel projectiles may betossedto a line, a peg, or some other small spot marking or indicatingdevice, such as for example a small round; disk or coin of the approximateldiameter of ahorseshoe-pitching peg. The novel playing pieces comprising thepresent invention afford amusement and exercise for both indoor and outdoor use under all conditions which require a safe and harmless projectile. The particular construction of the pieces prevents harm to bystanders or surrounding objects, or to the playing surfaces themselves whether they be prepared targets, floors, floor coverings, lawns, or other landscaped or wellordered outdoor surfaces.

In Figure 1 of the drawings there is illustrated, solely by way of example, a target area 10 which is marked off in squares and rectangles suitably designated, in simulation of a shuffleboard game or the like. In this case the target board or mat is laid upon the lawn II and the participant i2 is shown in the act of tossing one of the projectiles [5 which will follow the trajectory I6 toward the target. Of course, the distance between the target and the point from which the projectiles are tossed will be determined by the nature of the game and the age or ability of the participants.

The targets l may conveniently be made of rubber mats made of the material commonly employed as rug anchors. Other modifications of the target areas will be mentioned as the description of the various projectiles proceeds.

In Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings the projectile I is shown as comprising a relatively flat disk having a fairly thick body portion 20 which may, if desired, be slightly flanged or beaded as indicated at 2|. Preferably, the consistency or stiffness of the disk 20 is such that when supported at one edge by the fingers of the contestant, it will not bend or droop to any substantial extent but will retain its fiat disk-like shape as it flies through the air and lands upon the target. Except as defined in certain of the subjoined claims, the disk comprising the projectile may be made of any suitable material. In its more particular aspects, however, the invention contemplates the making of the disks of vulcanized rubber, and they may be stamped or embossed to shape in any desired or known way.

The body portion 20 of the disk is surrounded by an annular flap, lip, or fringe portion 25. Preferably the flap is disposed in the central or median plane of the body portion 20 and may be formed of the same material of which the body portion 20 is formed, and may be integral therewith as in the case of the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Due to the fact that the fiap or marginal portion 25 is considerably thinner than the body portion, this marginal portion is more flexible and is subject to buckling or bending under impact. Consequently, as clearly shown in the diagrams of Figures 4 and 5, when the projectile does not land upon the target area absolutely flat, the margin or flap 25 will be the first to strike the target area l0 and it will be buckled or crumpled, thus interposing a softened retarding effect upon the whole projectile, preventing bouncing and skidding and causing the projece tile as a whole to collapse limply upon the target surface without rolling or moving any substantial distance from the point of fall.

In Figure 4 the projectile has struck the target area at a rather acute angle, and therefore the contacting portion of the flexible flap or rim. 25 will be bent in the way clearly shown in the figure, and the corner edge 21 of the body portion 20 of the projectile will then strike the target [0 and the projectile l5 will fall toward the left in the figure.

In the case illustrated in Figure 5 the projectile has fallen through a rather high trajectory and the flap 25 has been buckled or crumpled in the opposite direction from that shown in Figure 4. In this case the projectile stops dead and falls limply upon the target areas, and it may fall either to the right or to the left in Figure 5 depending upon the directional components of the projectile upon landing. However, the projectile will not skid'or roll any appreciable distance.

In playing certain games in which large target scoring spaces are used or where the significant point turns upon the over-all distance of the projectile from a line, a point, or an opponents projectile, no further indicating markings on the projectiles are necessary, other than its own margins or edges. However, when certain games are played, in which smaller significant target areas or markings are used, such as in simulated baseball games or dart games employing a twenty point target, with radiating wedge-like areas, a finer indicating means on the projectile is desirable. For this purpose, there is provided on the projectile l5, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, the triangular arrow-heads 30, these pointers may be molded upon the marginal or fiap portion 25 without seriously interfering with the flexibility of these portions.

In Figure 6 of the drawings there is illustrated the streamlined projectile 35 which is made of flexible material, for example rubber, having the margins 35 tapered to fairly thin edges, in order to increase the flexibility. Of course, the relative flexibility of the margins and'the main central portions of the projectiles may be attained in different ways. In cases where these portions are integral or made of the same material, the relative thickness will determine the relative degree of flexibility. On the other hand, the nature of the treatment of the material may determine this factor. For example, in the case of the projectile 35 in Figure 6 if made of rubber, the greater central portion thereof may be vulcanized to a greater degree than the marginal portions, rendering the central portion stiffer and allowing the marginal portions to remain flexible for the purposes described.

The projectile shown in Figures '7 and 8 of the drawings and designated generally by the reference numeral 40 is made up of a plurality of layers or laminations of rubber-like material, the central or median layer 4| being of the greatest diameter and successive laminations 42, 43, and 44 both above and below this central layer are of decreasing diameters. The laminations may be held together by a suitable bolt or rivet suggested at 45. Thus, even though the individual laminations are of the same degree of flexibility, the projectile as a whole possesses the relative marginal flexibility required for the purposes of the invention, and the projectile will land in a limp manner without rolling or skidding whenthe margins of the central layer 4| buckle as described.

The embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10 is designated generally by the reference numeral 50 and comprises somewhat fewer laminations than the ones shown in Figures 7 and 8, the intermediate layer 5| being of greater diameter than the upper and lower layers 52, the latter comprising the stiifer body portion of the projectile. A rivet or grommet 53 secures the layers together. An arrow-head or triangular pointer device 55 is provided which may be either molded onto the projecting edge of the layer 5| or may be suitably inscribed thereon. The margin of the projecting layer is cut away upon the are 58 leaving the tip 51 of the pointer exposed and very readily readable with relation to the target.

The projectile 60 in Figure 11 is made inthe same way as the one just described in relation to Figures 9 and 10 with the exception that the margin of the outer layer 6| is cut away on the straight line 62 but leaving a projecting point 63 as an indicator.

In Figures 12 and 13 of the drawings there is shown a modification of the projectile illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, this form of the device being designated generally by the reference numeral 65. In this case the central body portion 66 is stamped, embossed, or molded in the form of a four leaf clover design, leaves being suggested at 61 and the stem at 68. The marginal flap 10 is provided for the purpose already described and it will be readily understood how this form of projectile fulfills the objects of the invention as in the other modifications. This configuration is merely suggestive of a wide variety of other forms which could be used, simulating flowers, animals, or other familiar objects. Not only do such modifications provide ornamental features, but they may also serve as means for identification of the projectiles of the several participants in the games.

In addition to the forms illustrated herein, the novel missile or projectile may be in other configurations such as square, hexagonal, or other polygonal shapes, and it is further understood that various other modifications may be made in the embodiments illustrated and described without departing from the scope of the invention as determined by the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A game projectile of the class described, which comprises a substantially fiat somewhat flexible and resilient disc adapted to be tossed manually onto a playing surface, said disc having a body portion constituting the central and major part of the disc, which portion is relatively stiff and rigid substantially to retain its flat disc-like shape to facilitate its throwing, and is substantially unyielding and resistant to buckling under impact of the projectile upon the playing surface, said projectile disc also including a soft, yieldable, relatively limp, narrow, marginal lip or fringe portion normally projecting radially outwardly from said rigid body portion, said fringe portion being therefore substantially more flexible than the said major part of the projectile, the flexibility of said disc changing abruptly at the line of junction of said portions, said fringe portion being collapsible and adapted to readily buckle upon impact with said surface thus dissipating the shock of landing and causing the projectile to fall dead upon said surface without bouncing, rolling or skidding.

2. The projectile as set forth in claim 1 in which the projectile is made of rubber and the fringe portion is of the same material but thinner.

3. The projectile as set forth in claim 1 in which the projectile consists of flexible material hardened throughout its inner main portion only.

4. The projectile as set forth in claim 1 in which the projectile comprises a plurality of laminations, the main portion having more laminations than the lip portion.

5. The projectile as set forth in claim 1 which comprises a plurality of layers of flexible sheet material secured together adjacent the center: an intermediate layer being of the greatest diameter and the layers above and below it being of successively diminishing diameters; the wider, extended peripheral portion of said intermediate layer constituting said lip portion.

6. The projectile as set forth in claim 1 which comprises a plurality of layers of flexible sheet material secured together adjacent the center: an intermediate layer, a layer above said intermediate layer and a layer below said intermediate layer; said upper and lower layers being of smaller diameters than that of the intermediate layer, the wider, extended peripheral portion of said intermediate layer constituting said lip portion.

7. The projectile as set forth in claim 6 in which the layers comprise sheets of rubber.

8. A game projectile of the class described, which comprises a substantially fiat disk of rubber-like material of such stiffness throughout the major and central portion of its area to sustain itself and substantially retain its fiat configuration when manually supported at a point near its margin, a soft flexible peripheral flap projecting radially outwardly from said disk, and a pointer formed at one point on the margin of said flap.

9. A game projectile of the class described, which comprises a substantially fiat disk of rubber-like material of such stiffness throughout the major and central portion of its area to sustain itself and substantially retain its flat configuration when manually supported at a point near its margin, a soft flexible peripheral flap projecting radially outwardly from said disk, and a pointer cut in the margin of said flap at one point on its periphery.

ROBERT H. GAEDE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,161,093 Salfisberg June 6, 1939 2,215,696 Graves Sept. 24, 1940 2,223,091 Bresnahan Nov. 26, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 361,673 Germany Sept. 25, 1922 

